Reduce Warehouse Accidents with These Tips

This entry was posted on November 30, 2014 by admin.

Warehouse safety is something that all companies need to focus on. There are many hazards found in warehouses that contribute to accidents resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities. There are however, steps you can take to ensure the safety of your employees such as making sure all equipment is up to code and in good working order. Faulty or outdated machinery is a leading cause of accidents in the workplace.

Carelessness and goofing around can also lead to accidents. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have strict policies in place to prevent horseplay and to make workers aware of their responsibilities.

Below are a few general tips for warehouse safety that will help protect your employees:

Provide all the necessary safety equipment needed to perform the job such as earplugs, safety glasses and gloves

Make sure the building is well ventilated to avoid inhaling excessive amounts of carbon monoxide from the forklift’s exhaust system

Use brightly colored signage to inform workers of potential dangers

Don’t overwork your employees

When people are rushing to meet tight deadlines or when fatigue sets in, they get careless. A well-rested employee is happier and more productive, so schedule breaks and limit overtime when possible.

Reduce Warehouse Accidents with Floor Mats

Slip and fall accidents are another leading cause of warehouse injuries. These can be greatly reduced by simply keeping your floors clean. Keep hoses, power cords and other debris out of the aisles. Clean up spills immediately, use signs to indicate a wet floor and use entrance mats to reduce the amount of moisture and debris tracked into the building.

Industrial floor mats are durable, anti-slip resistant and many are designed with anti-fatigue properties. Using these mats throughout your facility will help to reduce the risks of injuries cause from standing for long periods and they will also reduce fatigue. Non-conductive mats are necessary in any area where high voltage equipment is used and welding mats repel sparks and reduce the risks of hot metal debris starting a fire.

Educate Your Employees

Many injuries are caused by chemical exposure, lifting incorrectly and forklift accidents. By educating your employees on the proper way to do their jobs, you can reduce the amount of injuries that occur each year. Train your workers on how to handle chemicals and how to dispose of hazard materials properly. Teach them how to lift correctly and make sure they understand how to perform their duties correctly before leaving them alone.

Do not allow anyone to drive the forklifts without proper training. Enforce speed limits, weight capacity and caution drivers to look for other employees that might not be paying attention. Following these tips can help you create a safer environment for your employees and reduce the number of warehouse accidents that occur each year.